LOXL2 [MD340R]

Lysyl oxidase (LOX) proteins belong to a family of enzymes that oxidize primary amine substrated to reactive aldehydes. LOX is involved in tumor suppression, cell motility, cellular senescence and developmental regulation. There are four homologs of LOX, lysyl oxidase-like proteins, designated LOX-like proteins (LOXL1-4). LOXL2 is an extracellular protein that localizes specifically to sites of elastogenesis. It serves as a cross-linking enzyme, controlling the deposition of elastin and interacts with Fibulin-5. LOXL2 and LOXL3 can interact and cooperate with the Snail protein to downregulate E-cadherin expression. Overexpression of LOXL2 has been reported in a number of cancers and its ability to promote epithelial to mesenchymal transition suggest that it might play a role in tumor progression. Knockdown of the LOXL2 protein significantly decreases tumor growth. Higher expression has been correlated with metastasis and reduced survival in patients with aggressive breast cancer. LOXL2 activity is strongly induced in hypoxia and it is reported to be a direct transcriptional target of HIF1A.